Chapter 53 : Chapter 53
Chapter 53. Marriage Alliance with the Dragon Kingdom, Preparing to Send Troops
William had also secretly sent people to investigate the Second Prince’s death, but those he dispatched vanished like stones sinking into the sea, with no response at all.
Only one person possessed the power to seal information so thoroughly—Kroll II.
Doubts filled William’s mind. Why had the news been sealed so tightly? Was it because the cause of the Second Prince’s death might shake the army’s morale?
For the next month, the entire Ningshuang City fell into an eerie calm.
No one in the streets or alleys spoke of the Second Prince’s death anymore, as if the earlier news had merely been a rumor and nothing had ever happened.
On this day, William had just walked out of the Slave Auction House. After instructing the owner to send the newly purchased batch of slaves to the manor, he turned and headed toward the garrison of the Ninth Legion.
He intended to ask Prince Kande and his maternal grandfather, Marquis Peter. Perhaps he could learn some clues from them.
However, halfway there, he sensed something unusual.
A large number of soldiers suddenly appeared on the streets. Their armor gleamed, and they held long spears as they patrolled in formation along both sides of the road. The atmosphere was solemn and oppressive, completely different from usual.
William’s heart tightened. Just as he was about to step forward to ask, a knight galloped over from the corner of the street. Upon seeing him, the knight immediately dismounted and knelt on one knee.
“Your Highness, His Majesty has issued an order. You are to return to the castle immediately.”
“What happened?” William asked with a frown. The scene on the streets was clearly far from ordinary.
The knight lowered his head. His tone was respectful yet firm.
“I do not know, Your Highness. I am only following orders. His Majesty said the matter is urgent and asked that you return at once.”
William looked at the knight’s tense expression, then glanced at the heavily armed soldiers in the distance. He knew that further questioning would be useless. He nodded.
“I understand. I will return immediately.”
After boarding the carriage waiting by the roadside, William lifted the curtain and looked outside. More and more soldiers were deploying along the streets, and the unease in his heart grew stronger.
The eerie calm had been broken, and it was clearly not a good sign.
His father had suddenly summoned him back and mobilized so many troops within the city. Could it be…
Had something changed in the war in the Northern Frontier? Or had the aftermath of his second brother’s death begun to surface?
The carriage wheels turned as it sped toward the castle.
Leaning against the carriage wall, William unconsciously tapped his fingers against his knee while his mind raced.
No matter what awaited him, he had to be prepared.
The carriage soon entered the castle. William quickly crossed the corridors and headed straight to the great hall.
What surprised him slightly was that, besides Kroll II, there was also an elderly man standing in the hall.
The man had white hair and beard and was observing William from head to toe with a sharp gaze like that of an eagle, carrying the authority of someone seasoned by countless years.
“William, come here.”
When Kroll II saw him enter, he smiled and beckoned him over.
“This is Prince Tanley of the Dragon Kingdom, a true Giant Dragon Rider.”
William was startled.
A Giant Dragon Rider stood at the very peak of power on the continent. For the Dragon Kingdom to send such a figure here was extraordinary.
He quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Prince Tanley.”
Prince Tanley gave a slight nod. His gaze lingered on William for a moment before turning to Kroll II, his voice steady.
“Your Majesty, we agree to the conditions you proposed.”
“Good!” Kroll II laughed heartily, a rare brightness appearing on his face. “A pleasant cooperation!”
“A pleasant cooperation.” Prince Tanley nodded in response. Though his tone was calm, it carried the certainty of a major decision being settled.
Standing nearby, William felt puzzled. The Dragon Kingdom and the Kroll Kingdom had rarely interacted in the past. For them to send a Dragon Rider prince to establish cooperation clearly meant that immense interests were involved.
And judging from his father’s attitude, this cooperation was most likely related to the war in the Northern Frontier—perhaps even tied to the strategic consequences of his second brother’s death.
He did not rashly ask questions and simply stood quietly to the side.
Any cooperation that required a Giant Dragon Rider to personally negotiate could not possibly be trivial. Since his father had not immediately explained it, he clearly had his reasons.
Kroll II and Prince Tanley exchanged a few more words in low voices. The conversation was rather secretive, and William could only catch fragments—phrases such as “border defenses,” “marriage alliance,” and “joint military action.”
A moment later, Prince Tanley stood and prepared to leave.
“Your Majesty, time is of the essence. I will return to the Dragon Kingdom to mobilize our forces. We will meet at the border in three days.”
“I look forward to the good news.” Kroll II personally escorted him to the hall entrance.
After Prince Tanley left, only father and son remained in the hall. The smile gradually faded from Kroll II’s face as he looked at William.
“You must have many questions.”
“Yes, Father King,” William nodded. “The Dragon Kingdom…”
“They will send troops to assist us against Kadiya.”
Kroll II interrupted him, his tone serious.
“The death of the Second Prince made me realize that Kadiya’s ambitions extend far beyond the Northern Frontier. They must be suppressed through alliance.”
“And the Dragon Kingdom has long been a mortal enemy of Kadiya. They would never refuse this deal.”
Kroll II paused. His gaze settled on William, and a meaningful smile suddenly appeared.
“You are the one benefiting from this, boy.”
His tone relaxed slightly.
“I heard that the Sixth Princess of the Dragon Kingdom is a rare Dragon Tamer. I spent quite a bit of effort securing this connection.”
His expression then darkened slightly as he added,
“Do not become like that useless brother of yours.”
“Now that the First Prince has taken over your second brother’s assets, if I do not arrange some support for you, I fear you… may not live to reach adulthood.”
William felt a shock in his heart. He had not expected his father to think so far ahead—even arranging a marriage alliance to support him.
Looking at the streaks of white in Kroll II’s hair, William’s throat tightened. He wanted to say something, but his father waved him off.
“Enough. Do not start with sentimental words. They sound embarrassing.”
Kroll II turned around, his tone slightly awkward.
“If it were not for your maternal grandfather, Marquis Peter, back then…”
He stopped halfway through his sentence and suddenly sighed, not continuing.
Silence lingered in the hall for a moment before Kroll II waved his hand.
“Go back and prepare yourself. Stay in Ningshuang City. After we deal with the Kadiya Kingdom, we will return to the Royal Capital. Your second brother’s funeral has not yet been held.”
William bowed deeply and said nothing more before turning and leaving the hall.
As he stepped outside, the evening wind brushed through his hair, leaving his emotions in turmoil.
His father might appear strict, but behind the scenes he had already paved the path for him. That heavy consideration made the responsibility on William’s shoulders feel clearer than ever.
He looked up at the sky.
The clouds were thick, as if foretelling the hardships that lay ahead.